About Genesee Hill

Genesee Hill Elementary School

Our Mission

Every Child. Every Classroom. Every Day.​

Genesee Hill is an inclusive school where every child can grow with curiosity, confidence and broad competence. Each and every Schmitz Park student is taught to learn without limit, independently and collaboratively.

Our Vision

Genesee Hill is a collaborative, respectful community. We nurture a safe, welcoming environment that inspires life-long authentic learning. Each and every Genesee Hill student is empowered to learn without limit. We advocate for social justice, provide a sense of belonging, and cultivate curiosity. Genesee Hill is known for its rigorous academic program, holistic learning, and building strong relationships with families.

Our School History

Genesee Hill Elementary School History coming soon!

Schmitz Park Elementary is a Seattle Public School located on the southeast corner of land donated to the City of Seattle by the Schmitz Family at the turn of the last century. Between 1908 and 1912, Ferdinand and Emma Schmitz donated the forest land that today is Schmitz Park. A portion of the property was later given for Schmitz Park Elementary School.

Nestled on 50th Avenue SW between SW Spokane and SW Hinds streets, Schmitz Park School opened in 1953 with a utility building and portables. On November 16, 1962, a formal dedication ceremony welcomed Schmitz Park Elementary. The school is an inviting single story building that sits adjacent to the only piece of old growth forest remaining in the city, a legacy left to us by the Schmitz family.

At the close of the 2015-2016 school year, the Schmitz Park Elementary School Community packed the school up and moved to the brand new school building, Genesee Hill Elementary, which replaced the older building that held the same name. A celebration was held on June 3, 2016, which was both a reunion and a thank you. Find pictures from the event and more information about Schmitz Park Elementary on our History Project page.

Schmitz Park Old Growth Forest
Schmitz Preserve was donated to the city in pieces between 1908 and 1912. The most generous chunk came from a German immigrant/pioneer/banker/realtor named Ferdinand Schmitz, who served on the park commission during those years. It was Schmitz's idea, as he saw how rapidly the great forest was disappearing, to preserve part of it in its natural state.

Even Schmitz's land had not been completely untouched by logging, though. Some huge stumps in the park still show deep notches hacked high above the ground for the "spring-boards" on which axe men would stand to avoid having to chop through the lower root crown, the thickest and hardest part of the tree. After 1908, however, the new park rapidly gained popularity as a quiet complement to the West Seattle park complex. Except for the paved entrance and a parking lot at the northwest corner, the park has remained essentially unchanged ever since.

Our School Mascot – Red Foxes

Where Red Foxes Live
Perhaps you've seen a red fox in your neighborhood. You may have noticed its beautiful long bushy tail or its intelligent face. Red foxes can live in forests or in open country. But they usually live on the edges of woods and on farmlands. Lately, more and more red foxes have moved near towns and cities. No one knows exactly why.

Red foxes are found naturally on the continents of North American, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Red foxes also live in Australia, but humans brought them there.

What Red Foxes Eat
Red foxes will eat almost anything they can find! They eat the remains of dead animals. And they catch and eat small animals such as mice, frogs, gophers, lizards, rabbits insects, worms, squirrels, and birds. Red foxes also eat birds' eggs, berries, fruits, and grasses.

Red foxes have good night vision. They usually hunt for food in the dark. Red foxes also have a sharp sense of hearing. They can hear a gopher moving underground. They can even hear an earthworm rubbing against the grass. A fox can pinpoint a worm's location and pull it right out of the earth! Red foxes also have a keen sense of smell. In cities, red foxes can smell garbage cans and garbage dumps. When they find them, they have a feast.

Some scientists report that red foxes do tricks to help them catch their prey -- the animal they want to eat. When near a group of rabbits or a flock of birds, a fox may do somersaults, bounce up and down, or chase its tail in a circle. All the while, the fox is moving closer to the prey. While watching the fox, the prey forgets the danger until it is too late.

Fascinating Facts About Red Foxes
Red foxes are quiet animals. But they can make noises similar to the noises dogs make. Red foxes can bark, cry, growl, howl, whine, yap, squeal, and scream. A fox makes noise when it is trying to attract another fox's attention. Mother foxes also use sounds to "talk" to their young, called cubs. A wheezing bark, for example, means that the mother wants the cubs to hide. A low growl means that the mother wants the cubs to stop playing with her tail.